The Char Dham route in Uttarakhand has been a pilgrimage destination for centuries, witnessing a significant surge in numbers every year. Within a span of one year, government figures reported over 55 lakh pilgrims participated in the 2023 Char Dham Yatra (adding 10 lakh more people than the previous Yatra in 2022).
The government's focus on increasing amenities and constructing all-weather roads has led to a notable surge in pilgrim and tourist influx. However, this growth has brought about considerable challenges, particularly in the increased consumption of plastic packaged products due to the higher number of people.
Water, juice, and soft drink containers, along with biscuit wrappers, single use plastic cutlery, multi-layer plastic packets, straws, carry bags, and various packaging materials represent a range of plastic waste generated along the Yatra route.
SDC collaborated with the Uttarakhand Pollution Control Board (UKPCB) to establish effective processes addressing waste management challenges along the Yatra route. Apart from creating awareness among the local public, pilgrims and Urban Local Bodies (ULBs), it's crucial to monitor areas for improvement and address challenges like littering on the Yatra route, pilgrim awareness gaps and the shortage of dustbins.
The Plastic Nirikshan Avam Jagrukta Rath was an action plan focused on monitoring and raising awareness to address issues such as trash dumping and single use plastic (SUP) usage during the Yatra. The aim was not only to ensure the current pilgrimage remains free from these concerns but also to establish a foundation for future Yatras to enhance efficiency in waste management processes.
Three vehicles as a part of the Plastic Nirikshan Avam Jagrukta Raths covered a distance of 6,186 km over 28 days, navigating 381 different areas on the Yatra route in the last week of May and throughout June in 2023.
The Rudraprayag team oversaw the pilgrimage shrines of Badrinath, Kedarnath, and Hemkund Sahib, along with their connecting routes. The Uttarkashi team covered Gangotri and Yamunotri, while the Rishikesh team handled the Rishikesh region and the hill route up to Rudraprayag and Uttarkashi.
The teams conducted regular awareness sessions in public places and engaged with local authorities, distributing about 11,300 awareness posters and stickers via the Plastic Jagrukta Raths. Additionally, twelve notices were issued to respective local authorities, supported by photographic evidence, as part of a concerted effort to address waste management challenges along the pilgrimage route.
